Settings & Performance Optimization

Last Updated: June 2025

Get the best performance from ARK Survival Ascended! This guide covers optimal graphics settings, essential launch options, and quality of life configurations to improve your gameplay experience. Note: ARK runs on Unreal Engine 5.5 and is extremely demanding even on high-end hardware.

Quick Performance Boost

Lower Resolution Scale to 70-85% for the biggest FPS boost! Also disable Virtual Shadows with console commands.

🚀 DLSS, FSR & Frame Generation

Important: AMD GPU Issue

FSR 3 Frame Generation is forced ON for AMD GPUs, causing input lag. Use console command to disable.

Upscaling Technology Support:

NVIDIA DLSS 3

• RTX 2000+ for DLSS
• RTX 4000+ for Frame Gen
• Best quality/performance
• 60-70% FPS boost

AMD FSR 3

• All AMD GPUs
• Frame Gen forced ON
• Can cause input lag
• Disable with console cmd

Resolution Scale

• Works on all GPUs
• 70-100% range
• Best FPS gain method
• Some quality loss

Console Commands for Frame Generation:

r.FidelityFX.FI.Enabled 0

Disables FSR Frame Generation (AMD GPUs)

🎮 Optimal Graphics Settings

Recommended Settings by Hardware:

💎 High-End PC (RTX 4080+)

Display:

• Resolution: Native
• Resolution Scale: 100%
• Window Mode: Fullscreen
• VSync: Off
• Frame Rate: Uncapped

Quality:

• Global Quality: High
• View Distance: Epic
• Shadows: High (no Virtual)
• Textures: Epic
• Effects: High
• Global Illumination: High

⚡ Mid-Range PC (RTX 3060-4070)

Display:

• Resolution: 1080p
• Resolution Scale: 90-100%
• Window Mode: Fullscreen
• VSync: Off
• Frame Rate: Uncapped

Quality:

• Global Quality: Medium
• View Distance: High
• Shadows: Medium
• Textures: High
• Effects: Medium

🔧 Low-End PC / Better FPS

Display:

• Resolution: 1080p or lower
• Resolution Scale: 70-85%
• Window Mode: Fullscreen
• VSync: Off
• Frame Rate: Uncapped

Quality:

• Global Quality: Low
• View Distance: Medium
• Shadows: Low
• Textures: Medium
• Effects: Low

Critical Performance Settings:

Always Disable These:

• Foliage & Fluid Interaction
• Motion Blur
• Cinematic Lighting (huge FPS hit)
• Virtual Shadows (use console)

💻 Performance Console Commands

Press TAB to open console, then enter these commands for better FPS:

r.VolumetricCloud 0

Disables volumetric clouds (+5-10 FPS)

r.VolumetricFog 0

Disables volumetric fog effects (+3-5 FPS)

r.Water.SingleLayer.Reflection 0

Reduces water reflections (+2-5 FPS)

grass.densityScale 1

Reduces grass density (default 3, lower = better FPS)

grass.sizeScale 0.5

Makes grass shorter (default 1, more visible)

r.Shadow.Virtual.Enable 0

Disables Virtual Shadows (+4-6% FPS, fixes flickering)

r.Lumen.Reflections.Enable 0

Disables Lumen reflections (+8-10% FPS near water)

r.DistanceFieldShadowing 1

Optimizes shadow rendering

Save these permanently by adding to Engine.ini file (see below) or use pipe "|" to chain commands!

🚀 Steam Launch Options

How to Set Launch Options:

Right-click ARK in Steam Library
Select "Properties"
Under "General" tab, find "Launch Options"
Enter the following options

Essential Launch Options:

-USEALLAVAILABLECORES -high -lowmemory -nomansky

-USEALLAVAILABLECORES - Uses all CPU cores

-high - Sets process priority to high

-nomansky - Disables some sky effects

-lowmemory - Reduces memory usage

Additional Options (Optional):

-sm4 - Forces DirectX 10 mode (last resort for FPS)
-d3d10 - Forces DirectX 10 (major visual downgrade)
-novsync - Disables VSync if stuck on
-maxMem=X - Limits memory usage (X in MB)
-cpuCount=X - Manually set CPU core count

💾 Saving Console Commands Permanently

How to Save Commands:

Navigate to: ARK Survival Ascended\ShooterGame\Saved\Config\Windows\

Edit Engine.ini:

[/script/engine.renderersettings]
r.Shadow.Virtual.Enable=0
r.VolumetricCloud=0
r.VolumetricFog=0

[/script/engine.systemsettings]
grass.densityScale=1
grass.sizeScale=0.5

Note: Use "=" in files, not spaces like console

Chaining Commands in Console:

Use pipe "|" with spaces to run multiple commands:

grass.densityScale 1 | r.Shadow.Virtual.Enable 0 | r.VolumetricCloud 0

🪟 Windows System Optimizations

Windows Settings for Gaming:

1. Enable Game Mode

Settings → Gaming → Game Mode → ON

Prioritizes game performance

2. Hardware GPU Scheduling

Settings → Display → Graphics → Hardware-accelerated GPU scheduling → ON

Reduces latency and improves performance

3. Power Settings

Control Panel → Power Options → High Performance

Prevents CPU/GPU throttling

4. Enable Resizable BAR

Check motherboard BIOS settings

Essential for modern GPUs - up to 10% gain

5. Disable Memory Integrity

Windows Security → Device Security → Core Isolation → OFF

Significant FPS improvement

🎯 Quality of Life Server Settings

For single-player or private servers, these settings improve the experience:

Recommended QoL Settings:

Setting	Recommended	Effect
Taming Speed	2.0 - 5.0x	Faster taming
Harvest Amount	2.0 - 3.0x	More resources per hit
XP Multiplier	2.0 - 3.0x	Faster leveling
Breeding Maturation	5.0 - 10.0x	Babies grow faster
Stack Size	5.0 - 10.0x	Carry more items
Stamina Drain	0.5x	Run/fly longer
Food Drain	0.5x	Eat less often

Player Stat Settings:

Health/Stamina/Weight per level: 2.0-2.5x
Movement Speed: Enable if desired (disabled on official)
Fortitude per level: 2.0x (temperature resistance)

🔧 Common Performance Issues

Problem: Constant Crashes

Solutions:

Verify game files in Steam
Update graphics drivers
Lower texture quality if out of VRAM
Add -lowmemory launch option
Close background applications

Problem: Stuttering/Hitching

Solutions:

Disable Windows fullscreen optimizations
Set shader cache to unlimited in GPU settings
Move game to SSD if on HDD
Disable overlays (Discord, Steam, etc.)

Problem: Low FPS in Bases

Solutions:

Reduce view distance temporarily
Lower shadow quality
Limit light sources in base
Use fewer glass structures
Consider structure limit mods

⚡ Quick Performance Checklist

Instant FPS Gains:

☐ Lower Resolution Scale (70-85%)
☐ Disable Virtual Shadows
☐ Disable Foliage Interaction
☐ Turn off Motion Blur
☐ Apply console commands

Long-term Solutions:

☐ Update all drivers
☐ Optimize Windows
☐ Clean install if needed
☐ Consider hardware upgrade
☐ Monitor temperatures